Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 16 Jul 2017

Thirty Tory MPs have vowed to back David Davis if he runs for the party leadership, according to allies of the Brexit Secretary. “What he has, like Corbyn, is genuine authenticity,” an unnamed MP told the Sunday Telegraph, describing Davis as a “pre-eminent example of social mobility in the Tory Party”. Davis allies believe that Theresa May could use a forthcoming holiday to decide to step down.

'Shocking' death rate in NHS is getting worse

An NHS inquiry says sick patients are dying unnecessarily because they receive poor care due to shortages of staff and equipment. In what is described as a “shocking” report, it was found that the death rate of one in three among inpatients who need emergency help with breathing, already high by international standards, is worsening. “The NHS needs to improve a lot – and fast,” said a researcher.

Prison sentences for acid attackers could rise

Prison sentences for people who carry out acid attacks in England and Wales could be increased following a rise in such offences. Home Secretary Amber Rudd told The Sunday Times that the attackers should “feel the full force of the law”. Meanwhile, a 16-year-old boy arrested in connection with five acid attacks in London on Thursday has been charged with 15 offences.

Civil servant warns PM she risks 'Brexit chaos'

A former civil servant has told Theresa May that warring ministers, unrealistic expectations and an overloaded administration could cause Brexit chaos. Former cabinet secretary Lord O’Donnell has told The Observer that Britain faces a “rough ride” unless cabinet ministers unite and back a long transition deal to soften the impact of leaving the European Union. He says ministers must “start being honest about the complexity of the challenge”.

Macron says Trump may reverse Paris climate decision

French President Emmanuel Macron said he believes Donald Trump may reverse his decision to pull the US out of the Paris climate accord. Speaking to Le Journal du Dimanche, he said: “[Trump] told me that he would try to find a solution in the coming months.” On Friday, Trump appeared to hint at a change of position on the 2015 Paris climate change agreement.

'Big egos' will be crushed when BBC reveals salaries

Veteran broadcaster Peter Sissons says “big egos” may be hurt when the BBC reveals its leading earners on Wednesday. “Some of the biggest egos in the land are there and they will discover what the other big egos are paid,” said the former News at Ten presenter. The unprecedented salary disclosures will come after Theresa May’s new rules requiring the BBC to identify staff earning more than £150,000 a year.

First female winner of maths medal dies at 40

The Stanford University professor who was the first and only woman to win the prestigious Fields medal in mathematics, has died. Maryam Mirzakhani was 40. In 2014, Mirzakhani was one of four winners of the Fields medal, considered the mathematics equivalent of the Nobel prize. “The grievous passing of Maryam Mirzakhani, the eminent Iranian and world-renowned mathematician, is very much heart-rending,” said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Anger as Chancellor says public sector workers are 'overpaid'

Philip Hammond has caused an outcry by suggesting that public-sector workers are “overpaid”. During a “bitter” cabinet meeting this week, the Chancellor refused to lift the 1% cap on wages for public-sector workers. The Sunday Times says the comments will “fuel public anger” and “plunge Tory MPs into despair at the chancellor’s political tin ear”.

Rich 'should fund maternity pay increase for poorer mums'

Well-off working mothers should have their maternity pay reduced in order to fund bigger payments to the poorest mums, according to a new commission backed by three former Tory cabinet ministers. The Bright Blue thinktank, which champions liberal Conservatism, has called for a change to current rules that give high-paid mothers 90% of their weekly salary for the first six weeks after their child’s birth.

'Brutal' Muguruza prevents Williams fairytale at Wimbledon

Garbiñe Muguruza achieved a convincing 7-5, 6-0 victory over the five-times champion Venus Williams in a performance of “stunning clarity and brutal unsentimentality”, says The Observer. However, the Sunday Telegraph complains that the Wimbledon final result was a “disappointment for romantics”. Today, Roger Federer will attempt to become the first man to win eight Wimbledon titles when he takes on Marin Cilic.